Jean Marshall: Anikoobijikewin

Guest curated by

Linda Grussani

Special Projects Gallery

June 19 to November 28, 2024

Jean Marshall: Anikoobijikewin Online Exhibition Publication

Jean Marshall: Anikoobijikewin is the second of two solo exhibitions in the series Mawadishiwewin (visits) that delve into the connections formed through visiting, creating, and sharing.

Above image credit: Jean Marshall, untitled, 2024, hide, glass beads, porcupine quills, sequin and thread. Image courtesy of the artist.

About the Artist

Jean Marshall is a visual artist of Ahnishnaabe / English descent who was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is a member of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, also known as Big Trout Lake, Treaty 9, and currently resides on the lands of the Animikii-Wajiw / Thunder Mountain, also known as Fort William First Nation.

Marshall has been practicing visual arts for the last 20 years, and she has earned a reputation for her vibrant artwork made of beads, porcupine quills, textiles, and hide. Marshall's passion for beadwork started when she was a child, surrounded by skilled craftsmanship, which taught her the importance of quality and using her hands. This admiration has grown into her present-day practice, where she focuses on beadwork and leatherworking. For the last seven years, Marshall has been dedicated to learning and sharing moosehide tanning with her community, which has become a significant aspect of her work. 

About the Curator

Linda Grussani (Kitigan Zibi Anishinàbeg / Italian ancestry) is a curator, art historian and former arts administrator born, raised and living on Anishinàbe Akì in the Ottawa area. Grussani has spent over two decades working to advance Indigenous arts and culture, promote positive structural change and advance Indigenous cultural diplomacy as a curator, arts administrator, academic and mentor.

Grussani most recently held the positions of Curator of Aboriginal Art at the Canadian Museum of History, Director of the Indigenous Art Centre for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and has held several curatorial positions at the National Gallery of Canada. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Cultural Studies program at Queen’s University. Her research examines the recommendations, policies and methodologies that have influenced Indigenous and institutional relationships in museums and galleries on Anishinàbe Akì over the last 50 years. 

Linda Grussani acknowledges travel support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Creating, Knowing and Sharing: the Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples Program.

Jean Marshall gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chalmers Family Fund administered by the Ontario Arts Council.

The artist and curator want to acknowledge the following for their support;

Ontario Arts Council 
Friends, Family and Ancestors
Onsite Gallery: Executive Director and Staff
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
OCAD University

The Mawadishiwewin (visits) exhibition series is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario through the Curatorial Projects: Indigenous and Culturally Diverse program.

Free Public Event

Opening Reception - Wednesday, June 19th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Onsite Gallery, 199 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON 

Join us for the public launch of Onsite Gallery’s exhibitions with opening remarks and reception. All are welcome.

Onsite Gallery is generously supported by The Delaney Family.